Vibratome Instrument

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking a Vibratome Instrument that can cut a variety of unfixed, live tissues with minimal distortion of natural conformation and morphology. The instrument should be able to fit within a standard biosafety cabinet and have a fully stabilized sample platform. The Vibratome should be able to accommodate tissues up to 2cm in diameter and 2cm in length, and have automated sectioning, blade oscillation of at least 1mm, and adjustable blade advance speed up to 4mm/s. Some key features of the instrument include: • Capacity to accommodate tissues up to 2cm in diameter and 2cm in length • Fully stabilized sample platform • Automated sectioning • Blade oscillation of at least 1mm • Adjustable blade advance speed up to 4mm/s • Minimal, near 0 z-axis deflection • Adjustable thickness from less than 10um to 750um • Ability to be decontaminated/fully cleaned between uses